A/N: Okay, I lied. This was originally a one-parter, but I was listening to Matchbox 20 the other day, trying to come up with inspiration for my other piece of fiction; it was Yourself Or Someone Like You, obviously. I just decided to finish this. Think of the first chapter as a prologue. For this chapter, my musical muse was Push. It is #4 on said CD.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own the Girls or Matchbox 20. However, Rob, if you're interested in divorcing you're wife, call me! LOL.

Without further ado . . .

She said I don't know if I've ever been good enough

I'm a little bit rusty, and I think my head is caving in

She had been sitting by the door for hours, staring at it, wanting so badly to pick up the receiver and dial the numbers she knew by heart. The easy part of her to-do list had been completed. After Jess had left for work, she had gone to Columbia. Then, she had called Yale. Ever since, she had been sitting by the phone in his faded Metallica tee shirt, glaring at the piece of machinery, as if it was going to look back. She was fighting an inner battle, her mind daring her hand to pick up. Then, during one of the imaginary repartees, a wanted distraction came — a knock at the door.

She opened the door to a handsome twenty-something who seemed to be in a state of shock. His eyes perusing her body, causing her to blush. "May I help you?"

Her timidness made him smirk. "It's about damn time!" He exclaimed, shaking his head in unbelief.

His thick, Brooklyn brogue she noticed immediately. He had a way about him, a certain arrogant vibe that exuded "Proud New Yorker." She could tell he was born and raised, not unlike Jess.

"Excuse me?" She finally asked.

"God, Jess hasn't gotten any in months! Does he know your name? You weren't drunk, were you?"

She gripped the hem of the shirt, trying to mask her embarrassment. She suddenly felt like she was being bombarded with personal questions from an absolute, complete stranger. "Yes, and I'm pretty sure there was no alcohol was involved."

He smirked once more. "Good to hear. Can I come in? Unless I'm interrupting something."

She blushed at his insinuation. "Sure. Jess is at work."

She ushered him inside before entering into the bedroom to change in order to look presentable.

Then, she heard his voice as she grabbed a pair of jeans from the closet. "At the bookstore or the Post?"

This made her curious. He knew where Jess worked. When she padded back into the tiny living room/kitchen, now wearing her favorite pair of worn, Seven jeans and a grey, Ramones tee, he was sprawled on the couch, sipping a Heineken from their fridge, and surfing through bad daytime television.

"It was a nice shirt. Typical chick, though. Always going for the mainstream. I would have gone for the Tool shirt."

She grinned, her brain flashing pictures from the past. "You mean you don't appreciate Enter Sandman?"

He grimaced. "God, you sound just like Jess!" He paused, noticing the confusion on her face. She still didn't know who he was. "I'm Rob, by the way. Rob Coffax. Jess has been my best friend since the fifth grade, when Kyle Edison tried to beat me up 'cause he wanted my Green Lantern lunch box. Jess took up for me."

"And, Boy, did we ever kick his ass!" A voice exclaimed. They both turned to see the smirking figure standing behind the couch.

"He didn't stand a chance." Rob responded.

Rory's eyes brightened. "What are you doing here?" She asked, looking at her watch before retreating to his form and greeting him with a kiss.

Rob raised an eyebrow, glaring at Rory. "You're kissing him; after me! I thought you cared!"

Knowing his friend and his ways, Jess just smirked and played along. "I'm hurt, Rory!"

She backed away, her mouth wide with shock, her arms akimbo.

"Yeah, Man, she was all over . . .What, wait a minute! Rory!"

He bowed his head, his complexion crimson.

"Dude, the Yale chick! The one from that creepy little town in Connecticut?"

When Jess nodded, he almost spit out the beer he had just chugged.

Rory grinned. "You missed me."

He couldn't deny it. He had tried once before, but all it got him was a fight in a parking lot, where he had declared his unfailing love for her. No, denying it didn't work.

And I don't know if I've ever been really loved

By a hand that's touched me, well I feel like something's gotta give,

And I'm a little bit angry, well . . .

"I wouldn't have driven all that way for you to turn me down."

Her smile never faded. "I'm glad you did."

They turned their heads at the sound of a muffled cough. "I'm sorry to break up your little love-fest, but your phone is ringing."

Neither of them had heard the ringing, and before the receiver was found, due to Rory's collection of boxes piled haphazardly around the apartment, the answering machine kicked in.

"Hi! You've reached Jess and Rory! We're not able to come to the phone right now . . ." Her voice rang clear.

Jess' voice popped. " For reasons we'd rather not say . . ."

"Jess!" The person on the other end could hear her blush. "Just leave us a message, and we'll call you back!"

"If you're lucky . . ." He chimed in once more, before Rory's exasperated sigh ended the message.

The previous evening, almost immediately after they had arrived, Rory had wanted to create a new message. She said that it was the beginnings of familiarity, together in the City, and made their current situation seem much more permanent. He reluctantly agreed. When the recording was over, the three of them listened for a message. However, the only thing that was heard was a familiar grunt and the click of the other phone. Rory's eyes widened and her face became wraith-like.

Jess crossed his arms, as if he were annoyed. "You haven't called have you?" He finally asked.

"I tried." She admitted, meekly.

He then knew automatically what she wanted. Her expression readable, her body language telling. She then looked longingly into his dark eyes, begging for his approval. He cursed softly, as if agreeing to her unsaid request. It was simply amazing how their psyches were in sync. Rob just looked on, beguiled

This ain't over, no not here, not while I still need you around.

You don't owe me, we might change it.

Yeah, we just might feel good . . .

I wanna push you around.

Well, I will. I will.

I wanna push you down.

Well, I will, I will.

I wanna take you for granted.

Well, I will.

I wanna take you for granted, I will.

After Rob and Rory had a proper introduction, and He and Jess were finally reunited, they mumbled their good-byes and left. They both knew what Rory had to tell her family, but Rory knew she couldn't do it over the phone; She had to do it face to face. Jess swore to himself that he would never return to this town, but he also made the promise that he would never again willingly do anything to hurt her ever again. The latter he wanted so badly to keep. Nevertheless, he was driving in his old jalopy, Rory beside him, to that same place he swore on his mother's grave he would never see again, the city limits sign in clear view: Welcome to Stars Hollow.

Passing the gazebo, Gypsy's garage, Miss Patty's studio, and, of course, Doose's Market, he parked the car in front of The Diner, a place he once referred to as hell on earth.

The got out of the car, and she grabbed his hand for support as they entered Luke's, the old bell still had a sharp ring. Jess had wondered whether or not the bell was there for Luke to know he was getting a new customer or simply for the town to be nosy. When the sharp ring sounded, the Stars Hollow citizens turned their head to the door. Kirk, Miss Patty, Rune, Andrew, Babbette, Morey, and even Taylor. A look of shock and concern plastered over their faces.

Then, Luke wandered in from the kitchen. Once he caught a glance of the sight before him, he stopped right in his tracks, dropping the plate of food in his hands. No one dared move, even when the glass shattered on the tile flooring.

Kirk finally broke the uncomfortable silence. "Aren't you going to clean that up?"

Luke Danes never moved, but muttered, "I think one of the four horses of the Apocalypse just galloped into my Diner."

"Yep, rivers of blood, toads, asps, and me, that's right!" Jess quipped. Something about this place brought out his wit. Something brought back his sarcastic facade.

Luke rolled his eyes. "I hear Cleopatra holds grudges."

"Yeah, but Dante put her in the innermost ring of hell, so she'd have to go through a few more rings to get to my neck of the woods. I think its somewhere around Plum Street."

"Stars Hollow is no where near a fiery pit." Luke rationalized.

Jess looked at him in all seriousness. "Damn, could have fooled me."

He grunted, tearing his eyes away from his snarky nephew and letting them rest on the brunette that was still holding on to his hand for what looked like dear life. "Lorelai is gonna freak. You know she's been worried sick. You never answered your cell. I know you've been in New York!"

There was another long, uncomfortable silence. Rory could hear the whispers. Their small town princess, pure and virginal, had been with him! She wondered what they would say if they knew she had taken up residence with said hooligan. The comments were hurting her, as if someone was standing on her chest.

Miss Patty and Babbette and Morey. "He just gets cuter every second." "Sugar, I know!" "But he's such a bad influence . . ."

Rune and Andrew. "Whatever happened to Dean? He was such a nice boy." "Married. She was so heartbroken, she pulled a Lorelai."

Kirk and Taylor. "My, I can't believe our Rory has gotten herself involved with that urchin again!" "He just scares me!"

She knew it was going to happen. It was a given in Stars Hollow. They all claimed that they cared for her, but everything they said broke her heart even more.

"Luke, what are you going to do about this?" Taylor arrogantly asked.

Jess knew what the likes of Taylor Doose were capable and simply told him what he thought, by giving him the middle finger.

Taylor gasped. "My! Luke, could you please do something about your nephew and his obscene gestures."

Jess rolled his eyes and scoffed. "And here I thought you were smarter than that. Must I vocalize it? Fuck you, Taylor!"

As Taylor's eyes dilated, Luke snickered. Finally someone had the temerity to tell Taylor where he could shove it. Jess' harsh words permeated into her. She suddenly realized why Jess had insisted that they start anew, why he couldn't stay in Stars Hollow. The warm feelings the small town brought to her only made him shiver. Even the faintest idea of Stars Hollow made him cold, and his future there was inconceivable, black and empty. However, he had confessed to her that his life also black and empty without her.

He finally looked back to her. She stood quietly, letting him do all of the talking for once. He noticed in himself that change and credited it all to her. She looked back at him, pain in her eyes.

He once more took her hands in his, encouragingly.

Slowly and softly she spoke, "Baby, we don't have to do this. Let's just go on to the house. Mom will be working at the Inn. We'll have some time to think."

Then, they both turned around to a familiar voice. "Sorry, but Mom is not at the Inn,"

With first instincts, Jess backed behind Rory, gripping both of her hands. Lorelai was the only person on the planet that could make him turn his tail and hide. He knew that she was very protective of her daughter, especially of the leather-jacketed boy who had plucked her proverbial flower the night before last. He loves her . . . He loves her no- . No, he loves her.

She said I don't know why you ever would lie to me

Like I'm a little untrusting, when you think that the truth is gonna hurt you.

"Rory, I've been worried sick. I left you fifteen messages!"

She tried to swallow the wad of fear in her throat, but it wouldn't go down. She was unsure of why she was scared. This was her mother, whom she loved dearly. It was her best friend. Maybe it was just Jess' fear she was channeling, as she felt him grip her hands even tighter, slowly removing there sanguinity

"I haven't checked my voice mail since Saturday. Sorry."

Lorelai looked at there intertwinedhands. "Yes, I can see that."

Immediately, Rory turned wraith-like, her gray tee shirt almost fading completely into her milky complexion. Lorelai was not sure if it was fear or guilt.

Well, I don't know why you couldn't just stay with me;

You couldn't stand to be near me when my face don't seem to wanna shine

'Cause it's a little bit dirty.

She knew. She didn't have to look into her daughter's eyes. She didn't even have to do a pelvic exam. No, it was definitely mother's intuition. Her baby was now a woman, women had a certain air about them. Rory definitely did.

"Mom, please say something." Rory pleaded.

"There's nothing to say. I still love you, Honey, but if this is want you want, then there's nothing I can say about it. You Grandparent's on the other hand . . .well, I suppose that's another story, but, " She looked into Jess' eyes. Always confused by their glaze. She could never read them, but her daughter always could. This angered her slightly. Jess reminded her so much of Christopher. "You, on the other hand, I don't have to love so much considering the fact that you took my daughter's innocence, I assuming the evening before last? Is that correct?"

Jess just looked at her, amused. "Huh."

Don't just stand there.

Say nice things to me

'Cause I've been cheated, I've been wronged.

You don't know me.

Well, I can't change; I won't do anything at all.

"There's that vague, monosyllabic retort we have all come to know and love!"

Rory chuckled for the first time they walked into the Diner.

"I just wish you would just wait," Lorelai began, turning to Rory and wrapping her hands around her neck, nuzzling slightly, "Wait until you get out of school. Wait until things are right."

"I've gotta plan. It's a good plan." Rory said it with slight apprehension; however, her voice thickened as she looked at him.

"I wish you didn't lie to me." Lorelai stated, never disregarding her bluntness.

"I just wanted to tell you in person. You understand, right?"

Lorelai smirked. She had a plan up her sleeves as well. "Yeah, but I don't think your Grandparents will be quite as understanding, especially at Friday dinner. One that the three of us will attend."

And then, he threw up the imaginary vomit that never quite reached his throat.

Don't bowl me over. Just wait a minute.

Well, it kinda fell apart; Things get so crazy.

Don't rush this baby. Don't rush this baby . . . .

Well, I hoped you liked it. Also, R/R. Thirdly, please bear with me as I finish OSA. It's coming, I swear! Peace and Love — Caroline.